UNR reserving space for drone testing

RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) -- The University of Nevada is building on its minor-degree drone program.

The university is reserving one floor of the newly acquired UNR Downtown Business Building as an Advanced Autonomous Systems Innovation Center. Engineers, students and business partners will study all remote-controlled devices at the facility.

The research depends on the current demands of the drone industry going forward. "We're going to be focusing on advanced manufacturing and also the autonomous systems and a lot of them are drones so it can be in the air, on the ground, underwater but it's really something that is operated remotely," said Heidi Gansert from External Affairs.

The center is being funded by a $3 million Knowledge Fund Grant for in-state innovation.